Located about an hour north of Tokyo, Tsukuba is known as Japan's Science City and is home to many of the country's leading research institutions. Visit the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Tsukuba Space Centre to learn about astronaut training and space exploration, then explore AIST-Cube's interactive exhibits highlighting cutting-edge research in robotics, sustainable energy, artificial intelligence, and technologies designed to improve everyday life.

Enjoy shabu-shabu, a traditional Japanese hot-pot dining experience where thinly sliced meat and fresh vegetables are cooked at the table by gently swishing them through a simmering broth.

Anime is one of Japan's most influential creative industries, celebrated worldwide for its distinctive animation and storytelling. Learn about the anime production process during a hands-on workshop where you'll create animation drawings and experiment with stop-motion techniques.

Visit NIMS, the National Institute for Materials Science, a leading research institution specialising in materials research across metals, organic materials and inorganic substances. Learn about the science behind advanced materials and their role in developing new technologies.

Opened in 2014, the Yamanashi Maglev Exhibition Center sits alongside the 42.8-kilometre Maglev Test Line. Here, visitors can explore exhibits on the science of magnetic levitation and Japan’s plans for next-generation rail, then head to the observation area to watch test runs of the Maglev train racing by at speeds of up to 500 km/h.

The Nagoya City Science Museum is one of Japan’s leading science centres, known for its striking silver globe and one of the world’s largest planetariums. Explore hands-on exhibits covering space, physics, biology, weather, and environmental science, and experience dynamic demonstrations, including a simulated tornado and cold room.

Explore the evolution of Japanese manufacturing on a guided visit to the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. See working machinery and interactive exhibits as you trace Toyota’s beginnings in textile production through its development into automobile manufacturing, while learning about engineering, innovation and industrial technology.

Explore the Kyoto International Manga Museum and discover the history and cultural influence of manga in Japan and around the world. Browse an extensive collection of manga and exhibits that trace the art form’s development while learning about its role in Japanese culture, storytelling and visual expression.

Museum staff will guide you through an introduction to manga, from drawing techniques and character design tips to the use of "manpu"—the symbols and signs that bring characters’ feelings to life.

Visit Nijo Castle, built to demonstrate the wealth and power of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Step inside to see beautifully painted screens considered masterpieces of Japanese art and designed to impress visitors to the castle.

Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Japan’s most iconic Shinto shrines, famous for the thousands of bright vermilion torii gates that form winding paths up Mount Inari.

Admire the striking Golden Pavilion, beautifully reflected in its surrounding pond. Explore the temple grounds and gardens while learning about this celebrated example of Japanese architecture and its place in Kyoto’s cultural heritage.

Explore the peaceful grounds of this historic Zen temple in Kyoto’s scenic Arashiyama district. See the beautiful Sogen Pond Garden and learn about the temple’s history and significance as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy a hands-on cultural experience with local musicians as you learn the history and basics of taiko drumming. Try simple techniques and play a traditional song that connects rhythm with energy, leaving both body and mind refreshed.

Explore one of Kyoto’s most iconic sights. Walking among the towering green stalks feels otherworldly, as light and shadow shift through the dense forest canopy.

Visit Nonomiya Shrine, a historic Shinto shrine nestled within the bamboo groves of Kyoto’s Arashiyama district. Learn about its connections to Japan’s imperial history and Shinto traditions, and see its distinctive black wooden torii gate, a rare example of an ancient style of shrine architecture.

Visit the historic district of Gion, best known for its traditional geisha culture.

Spend the day at Universal Studios Japan with a one-day park pass. Experience thrilling rides, immersive attractions, and live entertainment inspired by popular movies, characters, and stories, with plenty of opportunities to explore the park at your own pace.